As a former architect I know that project constraints often breed creativity. However constraints from the materials we choose for our builds often restrict design freedom.

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I remember designing a classroom block in my twenties and feeling so frustrated because we had to use 'tried and true' materials that often resulted uninspiring and boxy schools.

I still remember that feeling of gritting my teeth as I resentfully copied and pasted templated ArchiCAD 3D of rectangular classroom blocks and boring joinery.

Every young person start their design careers full of inspiration, and the art is not to loose that sense of creativity and imagination as we get older.

Which was one of the reasons why I started Critical. We wanted to make materials that is better for designers and better for the planet

by designers.

And alongside Luka from Acryform we've been having a bit of fun pushing the limit of Cleanstone. Here is how you can blow mould the Forest Cleanstone into an endless number of 3D shapes:

1. Clamp the sheet onto a steel plate with a hole for an air inlet nozzle.

2. Together with the steel plate, move the assembly into a large commercial oven to soften the panel.

3. Remove the assembly while Cleanstone is hot and soft and screw the air value connected to a compressor through the bottom of the metal plate.

4. Blow air into the assembly and watch Cleanstone inflate.

You can blow mould Cleanstone in a variety of was like:

🛀 Into a female mould so the large blow moulded part could form into a vanity for example.

🌏 Blow mould in different orientations and use gravity as a moulding method

🔧 Play around using found objects like mesh to restrict the material during blow moulding to discover unique shapes.

I run a green building materials company called Critical. and we help designers and brands create beautiful spaces using 100% recycled plastic panels we call Cleanstone. If you're working on a fit out and are looking for sustainable materials to realise your unique vision, hit me up via a DM or through our website:

Criticaldesign.nz